Fritz Rudolf Künker, D-Osnabrück

26. September 2015

Auction 265

Phaleristic Auction of Künker featuring Excellent Results

Six auctions conducted over the course of six days is remarkable in itself, but a turnover of 13.8 million euros achieved over the course of only six days truly marks a new record. With the final result Auction House Künker happily records the highest-grossing auction week in the history of the company.

Auction 265: Orders and Decorations from Overseas

In its 12 phaleristic auction, Künker offered 900 lots, which obtained a total hammer price of 630,000 euros.

Thematically, the focus was placed on the German Empire. The most spectacular item of this session was the only Grand Cross Badge of the Military Order of St. Charles of Wuerttemberg in gold and enamel known to exist. Bidding started at a pre-sale estimate of 20,000 euros, but the final hammer price constituted 28,000 euros. In the department of civil and military decorations of the Kingdom of Prussia, the most expensive object was a Grand Cross set of the Order of the Red Eagle (estimate: 7,500 euros / hammer price: 13,000 euros). An Iron Cross, which was awarded posthumously to Erhard Kleindienst, Reserve Lieutenant, on December 18th, 1944, attained a surprising 13,000 euros. Most certainly this amazing result constituted itself due to its perfect state of preservation and Künker having offered it in its original case with the original outer packaging (estimate: 3,000 euros).

Of course, the session of orders and decorations from all around the world witnessed some remarkable results as well. Here, we would like to highlight the Breast Star of the Military Order of Christ from Portugal, which includes nearly 25ct diamonds (estimate: 20,000 euros / hammer price: 26,000 euros) …

Künker, in collaboration with London Coin Galleries, will conduct the next auction on October 30, 2015, at the Millennium Hotel in London. The numismatic material offered for sale comprises an incredible assemblage of löser and mining coins from the Preussag Collection. The catalog may be ordered at Künker, Nobbenburger Strasse 4a, D-49076 Osnabrück; phone + 49 541 96202 0; telefax: + 49 541 96202 22; or by writing an email.